KANDAN G (B. 1968)

Private collection of an officer who served in the Karnataka Lalitkala Academy
Thence by descent

Kandan G is a contemporary artist based in Mangaluru, coastal Karnataka. He won the Grand Prize at the 18th Asian Art Biennale, held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2018.

This painting holds a unique place in the artist's body of work. It is one of the few oil paintings by Kandan G in public memory. Most of his work is executed in acrylic and offers deep commentary on the present state of Indian society. This painting is especially striking, revealing the depth of Kandan G's mastery. A luminous glow surrounds the silhouette of Rabindranath Tagore, immortalising the influential figure’s wisdom. This is contrasted by the deep background, positioning the viewer’s gaze on the luminosity of the portrait. Though an early work in the artist's repertoire, it shows his skill in capturing and translating emotions of great admiration and respect.